The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1887-02-17

The Lord had seen the measure of OPP
preston of his people sufficiently full that
he was leading them at last away from
the thralldom and bitter experiences of
former times, and toward a better, a
grander experience. Moses was called up
to Sinai, and from the cloud which cov-
cred the mountain had been instructed by
the voice of the Lord, concerning the Di-
vine purpose with his followers. He had
for them a great country, where they
should be free from oppression, and could
stand in the strength of manhood, where
they might attain unto greatness without
grief and persecution; where they might
enjoy that peace and prosperity that had
been denied them through the the wick
edness of the Egyptians. The Lord had
permitted them to undergo many trials
and Sufferings, but now, after all of the
misfortunes, was leading them safely and
lovingly. He told them that, should they
obey his voice. and do his commands, their
enemies should be Gods enemies. and all
that opposed them should be cut off. But
the decline of their enemies should be
gradual. To wipe out the inhabitants of
the land of Canaan at once, would enable
''the beasts Of the field to multiply against
them," and it was therefore necessary
that the inhabitants should decline grad
ually, as the Israelites became stronger.
Thus was the abundant wisdom and
providence of the Father manifested.
They were not to have complete possess
sion of the land in one year. And that
great idea of gradual Christian progress
is just as valuable now as it was then.
We are led out of the habitation of sin,
out from evil influences and evil sur
roundings, out from the sufferings entail
ed by sin, and into the blessed country of
Christian experience. the promised land
of the faithful. We too often expect that
all temptation and all enmities will be
wiped out as soon as we enter the borders
Of that country. Yet there are tribes of
enemies of different shapes constantly op-
posing our progress. 1t might not be
well for us to gain a signal and complete
victory over all these enemies at once.
The human nature is such that it requires
active exercise to render it perfect. If,
therefore, we have trials and dangers, we
are the more vigilant, ond our Christian
character are more alert than would be
the case were there no conflicts in the
Christian journey. We may have little
knowledge of the influences that are at
work to help us on our way, yet every
faithful Christian may rest assured that
Divine help is being engaged in his be-
half.
Had the Israelites been moved by such
grasping, miserly spirit then as
many people are to-day, there would
have been such running away,
marking out of land, and driving
of stakes, that it would have required the
Divine aid to enable Moses to get any
measure of control over them. The meth
cd of the Lord with the Israelites, was to
go deliberately and carefully, thus,
gradually working themselves into their
inheritance. or rather their newly-given
possessions. In the modern style. to open
up a new country is to necessitate the
placing of military barrier on the from
tier to prevent wholesale grabbing. The
Israelites, however, had not sufficiency
of faith, based upon highly colored reports
of adventurous land agents, such as we
have now, in order to enable them to ap-
preciate their privilege and opportunity.
There is sometimes as great danger from
excessive speed as well as excessive laZi-
ness. There is too often restlessness, a
desire to travel faster than the nature of
the case will admit of. We are TOGO often
impatient with the progress that is being
made by the Ruler of the Universe, and
seek to add our own feeble efforts-not in
the matter of obeying and following, but
in an attempt to forestall Gods plans
with our own. Many man has travelled
so fast that he has not taken time to cast
about and discover what a terrible mis-
take he has made in trying to deceive the
world at the expense of angering the
Divine Father. Too many of us throw
aside the promise of Divine help, and be-
come the pioneers of our own fortunes, in
spiritual matters. AS result, the brush
and rubbish may be largely trampled and
broken from the way, yet many precious
flowers of valuable experience, or what
should have been our experience, may be
u plCu anu uCoIIOJ GU az OetI1C GIIhCs
Thus we we find, after rapid march to-
ward the promised land, that there are
many evidences of serious neglect, and
that tie prospect of future enjoyment is
not nearly so fiattering as it was in the
beginning of the journey.
One of the serious mistakes we some
times make is getting in advance of Gods
plans. Who of us has not seen a good old
brother who had soemingly-or at least
professedly-far outstripped his friends
in the Christian journey, and who seemed
to be filled with delight at the opportuni-
ty to tell of his wonderful strides-and to
"bear testiminy for Jesus" Now we are
not to Judge, but are using this advanced
case of Christian experience as an illus
tration. Watch that character closely.
You will sometimes discover that no mat
ter how ready the tears are to flow, nor
how near the surface the water indica-
tiOnS are, to use an old-fashiOned express
sion. You will see that character this
is not always the case, but too frequent
ly] in situation in which its conduct is
such that the world may see that it feels
that it has made grievous mistakes. Its
conduct does not harmonic with with
the profession it has made. What is the
matter? Simply this-that not being con-
tent to plod along as a humble, modest,
God-fearing Christian, he took spiritual
matters into his own hands and rushed
blindly into the great promised land, as
by the earthly Kingdom of
Christ, and selecting the highest and most
exalted position attainable, boldly pro-
claimed his proprietorship of the sur
country. That same man, if
called upon to assist neighbor in build
ing a line fence, would contend that his
should give every inch of ground